Fidel Castro: The Burden of a Name, By Dele Agekameh

For many of my generation and those who admire him, Castro will retain a special place in our collective psyche, no matter what others might say. His legacies will outlive him.

It is not only those who attended Castro’s funeral last Sunday that are mourning him. There are lots of other mourners all over the globe. One of them is yours truly. My obsession with Fidel Castro’s persona dates back to 1972. That was my second year as a student at Saint John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife, present day Osun State. Saint John’s was founded in 1962 by the late Reverend Father Fabian Cloutier. He was a Christian missionary of the Roman Catholic faith who came all the way from Canada to Nigeria for pastoral duties and settled in Ile-Ife where he lived until he retired and relocated to Canada. He died a few years ago.

As a person who had served at the altar right from my primary school through secondary school, it was a little bit absurd to adopt Fidel Castro as a nickname then, especially in that religious environment. And for the last 44 years that name has stuck to me like indelible indigo ink on a white cloth. Many of my school mates at all the schools I attended since 1972 don’t know me by any other name other than Castro. That is the name that still rings bells all over the place.

In those days in school, some of us were voracious readers. There were books on Josef Stalin, Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx which I stumbled upon, read and digested. I also read a lot of books written by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Books like Path to Nigeria’s Freedom, Thoughts on Nigeria’s Constitution, and so on. All these and many other issues at that time kindled my interest in the life and times of Castro. I was so fascinated that he could stand up to a world power like the United States of America, a country he held at bay for at least 50 years.

I remember those days in secondary school when I single-handedly carried out my own rebellion against the authorities over what I perceived as injustice against the students by writing articles and pasting them on the school’s notice board. A few times I was called out on the assembly ground in the morning and given some strokes of the cane for writing “seditious articles”. But the floggings which happened a good number of times, did not dampen my resolve, rather, they emboldened me more.

When the authorities saw that I was recalcitrant, one English teacher, Mrs. Adepetu, a tall, beautiful damsel from the Omisore dynasty of Ife, was appointed to moderate my scripts. This notwithstanding, I still found a way around it and got my opinions across to the students. At a point, the school, especially the principal, Fr. Cloutier, a man I had served at the altar in the church for several years, got nauseated about me and requested me to go home and bring my parents to the school. I felt that was an insult. In the first instance, the person who was responsible for my education was late Sir Adesoji Aderemi, my benefactor, who gave me a scholarship. Therefore, the implication of that order was that I should go and produce the Ooni of Ife, a directive that was akin to a taboo. I did not budge. After a lot of rigmarole, one of my ‘uncles,’ Prince Adejare Aderemi, followed me to the school and the matter ended there.

Castro came, saw and conquered. He conquered backwardness deprivation and poverty thereby placing Cuba strategically on the map of the world. It is only hoped that those he left behind will sustain his legacy and even surpass his giant achievements.

My popularity soared. But I paid dearly. In my last year in the school, although I was the Chapel Prefect, at the valedictory service which usually preceded the awards of prizes to the school prefects, my name was conspicuously omitted. I did not bother to find out what went wrong. I just took it as the price I needed to pay for sticking out my neck to challenge some glaring cases of injustice in the school.

Fr. Cloutier never forgot my activities in the school till he died. I could remember when a send-forth was organised in his honour when he was leaving Nigeria finally for Canada. We met at the venue while he was standing with Mr. Mike Oyebanjo Paul, the proprietor of Mopson Pharmaceutical Company based in Lagos and one of my seniors whom I never met in the school. When Fr. Cloutier learnt that I was in the media, the first thing he asked me was: “How many times have you been detained as a journalist?” Before I said anything, he turned to Mr. Paul and said: “This boy was like you when he was here.” And we all broke into laughter.

I can go on and on to narrate my experiences as Castro in all the schools I attended and places that I have worked, but what trills me most is when my last daughter and the baby of the house, Stephanie, calls me Castro. Although it has to do with some mischief, especially when she wants to get something from me and she thinks I could refuse her; she disarms me whenever she calls me Castro. The way it sounds in her mouth sends a nice, sweet and scintillating signal that touches the core of my affection for her.

I was less than two months old when the Cuban strong man led his group of revolutionaries and seized Cuba in January 1959 and threw out Fulgencio Batista, the then Cuban dictator. As the country’s new leader, Castro implemented communist domestic policies and initiated military and economic relations with the Soviet Union. This angered the United States. The strained relations culminated in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Under Castro, improvements were made in healthcare and education, while he maintained a tight control over the country.

His death may reignite many important and still-unresolved debates on his particular place in history, and about the revolutionary ideas he epitomised. For many of my generation and those who admire him, Castro will retain a special place in our collective psyche, no matter what others might say.

Castro also participated actively in communist revolutions in many countries around the world. But with the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union in 1991 and the attendant negative impact on Cuba’s economy, he was left with no option than to relax some restrictions he had earlier put in place. Faced with his failing health, Castro officially handed over power to Raúl Castro, his brother, in 2008. Nevertheless, he still wielded some political influence in Cuba and abroad until he died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90.

His death may reignite many important and still-unresolved debates on his particular place in history, and about the revolutionary ideas he epitomised. For many of my generation and those who admire him, Castro will retain a special place in our collective psyche, no matter what others might say. His legacies will outlive him. That a dirty-poor, third-world country managed to create very credible medical and education systems are a few of them. As iconic film director, Michael Moore, took delight in pointing out, Cuba’s medical system is in many ways better than that of the US itself. This is not bad for a country that has laboured under American economic sanctions for more than half a century. It is remarkable.

It’s not hard to see why the US loathed Castro and mounted what, at times, amounted to a comical series of efforts to assassinate or overthrow him throughout his eventful life. The abortive CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, which ended in a catastrophic humiliation for the US only reinforced Castro’s position and aura among his own people and his foreign admirers like me. Try as the US did, they could not dislodge him. Rather, throughout his life, Castro maintained a reputation as the most enduring affront to American hegemony in the region the US considers its own.

Castro came, saw and conquered. He conquered backwardness deprivation and poverty thereby placing Cuba strategically on the map of the world. It is only hoped that those he left behind will sustain his legacy and even surpass his giant achievements. Like Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua, whose own revolution Castro supported in the 1970s said in Havana recently:
“Castro lives on in all of us.”

Adieu, my hero; my idol!

Ashes Of Fidel Castro Begin Final Journey Across Cuba

The ashes of Cuban leader Fidel Castro began a four-day journey across Cuba on Wednesday to his final resting place, retracing the late communist leader’s revolution victory tour of 1959.

The “caravan of freedom” left at 7:16 am (1216 GMT) from Havana, and will make symbolic stops along a 950-kilometer (590-mile) route that will end in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba over the weekend.

The urn containing the remains of Castro, who died Friday at age 90, was covered by a Cuban flag and protected by a crystal covering as it was transported.

Senior officials of the government and Communist Party, and Castro’s longtime partner, Dalia Soto del Valle, attended the farewell ceremony at the armed forces ministry before the caravan headed out to travel through 13 of the Caribbean island nation’s 15 provinces.

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets, waving Cuban flags and shouting “Vivas!” to the late leader as the seven-vehicle motorcade passed by, escorted by police on motorcycles.

The trip follows two days of tributes in Havana where massive crowds were encouraged by the government to view a picture memorial to Castro at the Revolution Square.

The commemorations in the capital ended with a massive rally Tuesday night at the square attended by Latin American, African and Caribbean leaders, along with the Greek prime minister — the only European leader at the event.

Raul Castro, 85, expressed his gratitude for the “countless gestures of solidarity and affection from around the world” after his brother’s death. The rally ended with the revolutionary battle cry, “Until victory, always!”

Castro ruled from 1959 until an illness forced him to hand power to Raul in 2006.

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/ashes-of-fidel-castro-begin-final-journey-across-cuba/

Fidel Castro: An Unforgettable Revolutionary Icon, By Rauf Aregbesola

Fidel Castro has completed his earthly assignment but the ideas for which he struggled, defended, sacrificed, lived and died, like his other immortal colleagues, will live forever.

“Died in beauty, like a rose blown from its parent stem” – Charles Doyne Sillery

 

At last the curtain fell on the exemplary life of the Commandante of The Army of the oppressed and dis-inherited people world-wide. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz has passed on after 90 eventful years, 49 of which he held sway as the Prime Minister and later President of Cuba. Indeed, Castro became a permanent feature of political and ideological discourse in the past five decades, such that we almost thought he would live forever.

 

The feeling is mixed. Yes mixed! To lose such an inspiring and profound personality is eternally painful but for such a legend to depart at such a ripe age of 90, deserves a huge celebration in a world where the average life span hardly surpasses 50 years, but not more than 70 years for men in the most advanced nations on our planet.

 

On behalf of the government and people of the State of Osun, and in recognition of the historical and cultural bond between the Cubans and Yoruba in the State of Osun in Nigeria and worldwide, we salute the courage, determination, vision, resilience and revolutionary zeal of Fidel and his companions, the indomitable spirit of Cubans, and solidarity of all people of the world committed to human dignity, freedom and happiness.

From the July 26 movement of 1953, the Granma Expedition of November 25, 1956, the ultimate victory of the revolution on January 1, 1959, to his final departure from our realm at about 10 pm, November 25, 2016, we are sure that our Commandante lived a fulfilled life that history will never forget.

 

Millions of people – students, academics, poets, politicians, trade unionists, artisans, revolutionary cadres and humanists – including my humble self, drew inspiration from him, his rhetorics, writings, reflections, dedication, integrity and commitment to building socialism. There is no doubt that the world is a better place because of him, consequently a gem has been lost indeed.

 

He was a symbol of resistance to injustice and oppression, as all the oppressed people of the world drew inspiration from him. He held the unenviable record of being the man with the most assassination attempts on his life, without any succeeding. He stood for what he believed in and not for once did he flinch in the face of the most formidable military encirclement and daunting economic and financial strangulation. Ironically, the man who the greatest powers on earth could not break finally succumbed to illness and ultimately the cold hands of death, in the way of all mortals.

…we join the people of Cuba in their national grief and urge them to renew and redouble their commitment and duty to the struggle and ultimate victory of socialism.

As Africans, we remember the solidarity, partnerships, high level of discipline and sense of DUTY of the Cubans to the liberation struggles, healthcare delivery, education, sports and youth development and political consciousness in Africa under the leadership and direction of Fidel and his administration. Although Castro’s Cuba is a nation with modest means, yet she has a gargantuan spirit of internationalism, support and assistance to the poor and exploited peoples and nations of the world. We proudly acknowledge the heroism of Cuba in this unparalleled show solidarity and humanism.

Nevertheless, in death, Castro has joined the pantheons of immortals whose ideas and praxis continually dominate and influence their world and therefore live forever in the hearts of people, in literature and politics, and in the physical monuments that will be named after him all over the world. Millions will carry on the struggle from where he left it.

 

Fidel Castro has been rightly described by The Guardian of London as a ‘revolutionary icon’. It is expected that well deserved encomiums and heartfelt tributes will pour in for a life of struggle, Spartan discipline, selflessness and sacrifice that he lived.

 

As we mourn and celebrate the passage of this international revolutionary legend, hero of the oppressed, fighter of oppression and exploitation, promoter of social justice, soldier and Commandante of ideas, we join the people of Cuba in their national grief and urge them to renew and redouble their commitment and duty to the struggle and ultimate victory of socialism.

 

Fidel Castro has completed his earthly assignment but the ideas for which he struggled, defended, sacrificed, lived and died, like his other immortal colleagues, will live forever.

 

Long Live Cuba !
Long live the revolution !!
Till Everlasting Victory !!!

Obama’s Grinning Daughter Acts As Interpreter For Dad In Cuba

The Obama daughters may be on spring break but their trip to Cuba means they’re getting some extra Spanish lessons in.  

In a candid picture snapped by White House photographer Pete Souza during the president’s historic trip to Cuba this week, Malia Obama is seen acting as an interpreter for her father as he talks with a Spanish-speaking Cuban man in a restaurant. 

It appears the restaurant worker has cracked a joke, since father and daughter sport matching ear-to-ear grins. 

White House photographer Pete Souza posted this picture to Instagram on Monday, writing, 'The President and Malia share a laugh as Malia translates Spanish to English for her dad at a restaurant in Old Havana' 
'The First Lady with Malia and Sasha at La Catedral de la Virgen Maria de la Concepcion Inmaculada in Old Havana,' Souza wrote of this image

‘The First Lady with Malia and Sasha at La Catedral de la Virgen Maria de la Concepcion Inmaculada in Old Havana,’ Souza wrote of this iamge

Souza released several images on Monday giving a behind-the-scenes look at the president's historic trip to Cuba. Mr Obama pictured above greeting Cubans in Old Havana on Sunday

Souza released several images on Monday giving a behind-the-scenes look at the president’s historic trip to Cuba. Mr Obama pictured above greeting Cubans in Old Havana on SundayThe picture was one of several Souza posted to Instagram on Monday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the president’s monumental trip to reopen Cuban-American diplomatic relations.

In another picture, White House staffers stare out the windows of Air Force One as the president landed in Havana on Sunday while other snapshots show the president holding an umbrella as he greeted Cubans in Old Havana later that day. 

Michelle Obama holds her daughters close in an Old Havana church, in another sweet photograph. 

The Obamas are scheduled to spend another night in Cuba on Monday before flying to Argentina Tuesday afternoon.  

White House staffers and the President angle to get the best view of Cuba as Air Force One lands in the country on Sunday

White House staffers and the President angle to get the best view of Cuba as Air Force One lands in the country on Sunday

It was raining on Sunday, so president Obama held his own umbrella as he toured the streets of Old Havana 

It was raining on Sunday, so president Obama held his own umbrella as he toured the streets of Old Havana 

Sasha Obama is seen in the background of this photo of President Obama and his team walking down the street in Old Havana 

Sasha Obama is seen in the background of this photo of President Obama and his team walking down the street in Old Havana 

 
Excited workers wave and give a thumbs up as the Obama family pass by their restaurant on Sunday 

Excited workers wave and give a thumbs up as the Obama family pass by their restaurant on Sunday 

US owes Cuba millions – Fidel Castro

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro on Wednesday said the United States owes Cuba millions of dollars due to the economic damages it has caused the island through its 55-year-old trade embargo.

“Cuba is owed compensation equivalent to damages, which total many millions,” he said in an open letter published on CubaDebate, a government-run news website.

The former Cuban leader made the statement on the eve of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Havana, where U.S. officials on Friday are expected to hoist the U.S. flag over its recently opened embassy — a largely symbolic event marking the normalization of relations between the two countries.

Cuban officials have recently stated that the U.S. embargo against the Castro regime has cost the island $117 billion, contributing to chronic shortages and a lack of investment on the island.

Source : Aljazeera

US Removes Cuba From List Of State Sponsors Of Terror

The United States has removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The move eliminates a major obstacle toward restoring diplomatic ties. The change now allows Cuba to conduct banking in the United States, among other activities.

The removal has been one of Cuba’s key demands, as leaders from both countries have repeatedly met to negotiate the details of restoring diplomatic relations, including the opening of embassies in Washington and Havana.

Last week, diplomats met in Washington, but failed to come to an agreement on opening embassies.

Cuban Medics Head for Liberia to Fight Ebola

Cuban medical team is set to arrive in Liberia to help tackle the spread of the Ebola virus, the foreign ministry has said in a statement.

The ministry said a 52-member team comprising doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, intensive care doctors, general practitioners, surgeons, pediatricians, intensive care nurses, anesthetists and licensed nurses will arrive in the capital on Wednesday.

The statement said the ministry was informed of the medical team’s imminent arrival by Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolas, Cuban ambassador to Liberia.

The ambassador said the arrival signalled his government’s strong solidarity with Liberia.

He added that Cuba’s commitment was geared towards enhancing the existing ties between both countries and acknowledged that the move would mark the start of medical co-operation between Cuba and Liberia.

The Cuban doctors are expected to be assigned to a newly constructed unit at the an unfinished defence ministry facility in Congo Town.

Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberis’s foreign minister, said he was delighted over the arrival of the doctors and that he hoped the development would also help in strengthening the country’s health service.